SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4287-1
Atomic-level manufacturing is a frontier technology enabling materials to achieve ultimate performance. This study explores the potential applications and critical scientific issues of metal atomic clusters, which are predominantly used in catalysis but suffer from intrinsic instability, leading to low yield, inconsistent size and structure, and susceptibility to agglomeration, oxidation, and sintering. We propose a novel concept: employing oxidized metal atomic clusters as dopants in oxygen-bearing materials, such as oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys, oxide-based cermets, and toughening ceramics. Using ODS alloy as a proof-of-concept, Ni-NiO coupled cluster-strengthened metallic Ni exhibits finer grains, a larger proportion of low-angle grain boundaries, higher geometrically necessary dislocation density, and achieves a 38% enhancement in Vickers hardness. To advance this concept, four critical scientific issues require resolution: oxidation control, disaggregation and dispersion, effectiveness comparison, and physicochemical behaviors and mechanisms. This work bridges the gap between atomic-level manufacturing and structural materials, offering a pathway to overcome the instability of metal clusters by leveraging their oxidation characteristics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3664-x
The proliferation of electronic devices and wireless communications has escalated the demand for materials that simultaneously provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and infrared (IR) thermal camouflage, a combination critical for military and civilian applications. Traditional metallic shields suffer from high density, poor processability, and cost, while polymer-based alternatives often lack sufficient shielding effectiveness and environmental stability. Here, we report a multilayer composite film fabricated via layer-by-layer vacuum filtration and hot-pressing, integrating modified aramid nanofibers (ANF) and MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets. The film architecture comprises ANF-polypyrrole (ANF-PPy) as the matrix and Ag-MXene as the functional filler, with in-situ grown Ag nanoparticles intercalating between MXene layers to enhance interlayer spacing and electromagnetic wave scattering. At a thickness of only 33 μm, the film achieves an average EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 66.75 dB and a specific shielding effectiveness (SSE/t) of 38432.54 dB cm2 g−1. The multilayer structure promotes multiple internal reflections and interfacial polarization losses, while the tight integration ensures high IR reflectivity. This work establishes a foundation for developing multifunctional protective materials with dual EMI shielding and IR camouflage capabilities, addressing the critical bottleneck of simultaneous performance in ultrathin, flexible formats.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3538-6
The understanding of anion transporting behaviors under sub-nanoconfined regimes can guide the design of high-performance anion selective membranes (ASMs), yet it is little known. Here, we build membrane channels that combine physical rigidity with chemical affinity to anions simply through bridging graphene oxide nanosheets with charged linkers. We observe that the rigidly confined interaction imposed by channels to anions can reconfigure hydration shells in varying degrees for different anions via compensating for hydration-induced energy barriers and differentiating their rearrangement behaviors. During the configuration evolution, water molecules within hydration shells would rotate and simultaneously change their distance from the ion center. Based on the big discrepancy in configuration evolution, these membranes can realize ultrahigh selectivity of, for example, 125 for Cl−/SO4^2− and surpass the performance upper bound concerning Cl−/SO4^2− separation by other membranes. The knowledge of the configuration change of hydration shells during the dehydration process will be key to designing next-generation ASMs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3666-2
Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are promising for low-cost, solution-processed display and lighting applications, yet achieving high efficiency and color purity remains challenging. Here, we report two ionic multi-resonance (MR) emitters with narrowband blue emission for high-color-purity LECs. By covalently bonding an imidazolium functional group into a boron/nitrogen-doped polycyclic skeleton, the emitters retain the narrowband emission and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the MR core while gaining ionic character. The design exploits two types of nitrogen atoms in the imidazolium unit: the pyrrolic N at the 1-position forms a para-B-π-N linkage, elevating excited-state energy levels and blue-shifting emission; the pyridinic N at the 3-position provides a quaternization site, yielding intrinsically ionic emitters compatible with ionic hosts. The emitters exhibit blue emission with narrow full-width at half-maximum of 26–27 nm and high PLQYs of 95%–97% in solid-state films. LECs based on these emitters achieve narrowband blue electroluminescence with CIE coordinates of (0.12, 0.26) and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4.6%, representing the first narrowband blue LECs based on intrinsically ionic MR emitters. This work demonstrates a viable molecular design strategy for high-color-purity LECs, addressing the long-standing trade-off between efficiency and color purity in this technology.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3707-8
Wound infection is a major cause of death during the wound healing process. Improperly dressed wounds can lead to secondary injury, prolonging healing time and increasing infection risk. Here, we propose an antibacterial slippery dressing through molecular engineering of copper ions. The oil layer forms a barrier to reduce clot adhesion to the wound site and prevent environmental contamination. Single-cell level detection indicates that secreted copper ions induce bacterial death not only by disrupting membrane integrity but also by relying on the production of reactive oxygen species. Further membrane depolarization and adenosine triphosphate production blockage result in the aggregation of important proteins in various biological processes, such as metabolic homeostasis, ultimately leading to bacterial death. The animal model confirms that our dressing accelerates wound healing by promoting the growth of granulation tissue and collagen deposition. Our dressing demonstrates significant clinical implications for the design of next-generation therapeutic applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3780-3
Real-time health monitoring and ongoing evaluation of physiological conditions are becoming increasingly vital for the advancement of future medical diagnostics and personalized healthcare solutions. Given that certain illnesses necessitate prompt and accessible detection methods, wearable chemical sensors have garnered considerable interest for their capability to monitor health through physiological signals and chemical indicators. This review delivers a thorough examination of recent developments in four primary categories of wearable chemical sensors: biosensors, humidity sensors, gas sensors, and ion sensors. We explore the representative materials, device structures, operating mechanisms, and various application scenarios for each type of sensor. By investigating the latest innovations in these technologies, we aim to provide a detailed overview of the current research landscape, highlight existing challenges, and present potential future directions of wearable chemical sensors in healthcare monitoring.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3693-0
The development of catalysts with highly efficient oxygen evolution performance and low-Ir loading is key to scaling up the application of proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis technology. Here, an Ir-skin catalyst (Ir@KM) is realized on a potassium-manganese oxide (K0.25MnOx (KM)) using an ion-exchange method. The Ir-skin over the prepared Ir@KM has a low Ir–Ir atomic distance, endowing an energetically favorable oxide path mechanism to allow a low theoretical overpotential of 0.13 V. Ir@KM offers a low overpotential of ~280 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and provides a high mass activity of up to 18,500 A gIr−1 at a cell voltage of 1.8 V in PEM, which is 17.6 times higher than that of IrO2, demonstrating a significant advantage in reducing the cost of the membrane electrode. The presented Ir-skin concept represents a promising strategy to fabricate low-Ir catalyst with high activity and durability for practical applications of PEM.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3767-9
Progressive skin fibrosis ultimately results in irreversible contractures, causing both joint dysfunction and cosmetic deformity. The key pathological features of skin fibrosis include persistent inflammation and abnormal accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) playing a critical role in disease progression. However, current therapeutic strategies for cutaneous fibrosis are largely palliative and often require repeated interventions, with limited efficacy. Celastrol (Cel) exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in skin tissue, but its clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability and a narrow therapeutic window. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA), a novel nanocarrier system, exhibits multiple advantages, including enhanced cellular uptake, improved cell viability, and intrinsic anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study applied tFNA-Cel complex (TCC) as an advanced nanotherapeutic agent, designed to exert a synergistic anti-fibrotic effect. In this study, an in vitro model of skin fibrosis was established using human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells treated with 5 ng mL−1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) for 24 h. The results showed that TCC significantly inhibited EMT progression by reducing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels and increasing E-cadherin level. Compared to tFNA or Cel alone, TCC exhibited superior anti-fibrotic effects in the fibrosis model, as evidenced by modulation of SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) signaling and collagen I expression. Furthermore, the TCC group showed lower levels of nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65), BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to the Cel or tFNA groups. These findings highlight TCC as a promising treatment for skin fibrosis, with its synergistic anti-fibrotic effects providing new therapeutic avenues.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112104
Carboxyl-modified polystyrene microplastics (PS-COOH) are negatively charged particles formed by surface oxidation and functional group modification of polystyrene microplastics (PS), widely used in biomedical and analytical chemistry. However, studies on their neurotoxic effects on aquatic organisms are scarce. This study employed zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism, exposing embryos to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100 μg·L−1) of PS and PS-COOH. Neurotoxic effects were assessed by measuring tail coiling frequency at 24 hpf and swimming velocity under alternating light/dark cycles at 120 hpf. Results demonstrated that both PS and PS-COOH induced neurotoxicity, with PS-COOH significantly reducing tail coiling frequency and average swimming speed compared to PS (P<0.05). Exposure to 10 μg·L−1 PS-COOH disrupted neurotransmitter homeostasis, altering levels of acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Transgenic zebrafish Tg(huc:EGFP) fluorescence assays revealed that PS-COOH (0.1–100 μg·L−1) caused damage to central neurons. These findings indicate that PS-COOH exposure impairs cholinergic, serotonergic, and GABAergic neurotransmission, induces neuronal damage, and exerts neurotoxic effects on zebrafish larvae. This study provides a theoretical basis for assessing the ecological and health risks of modified microplastics.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112102
Based on the 2022 activity data of non-road mobile sources in Hebei Province, this study employed the emission factor method recommended by the Guidelines to estimate emissions of CO, HC, NOx, PM2.5, PM10, and SO2. A comprehensive emission inventory was established, followed by spatial and uncertainty analyses. Scenario analysis, aligned with the 14th Five-Year Plan policies, was used to project emissions for 2030. The results indicate that non-road mobile sources in Hebei emitted 76.1×10^3 t of CO, 20.6×10^3 t of HC, 164.0×10^3 t of NOx, 8.5×10^3 t of PM2.5, 9.0×10^3 t of PM10, and 2.4×10^3 t of SO2. Agricultural machinery was the dominant contributor to CO, HC, PM2.5, and PM10, accounting for over 60.0% of CO emissions. Railway locomotives were the primary source of NOx, contributing 50.9%. For SO2, agricultural machinery and railway locomotives contributed 39.0% and 44.4%, respectively. The highest emitting cities were Tangshan (21.3%), Shijiazhuang (15.7%), Cangzhou (11.6%), and Handan (11.6%). Ship emissions were concentrated in Tangshan Port; civil aviation emissions were mainly in Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Qinhuangdao, and Handan; railway emissions were distributed in Shijiazhuang, Baoding, and Handan. Under the updated emission standard scenario, NOx and PM10 emissions in 2030 could be reduced by approximately 35.0%. The phase-out of old machinery yielded the largest reduction in CO (36.0%), while both electrification and phase-out scenarios significantly impacted HC emissions.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604009
Biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is often limited by insufficient influent carbon sources, necessitating external carbon addition to enhance denitrification. Conventional single carbon sources, such as sodium acetate, frequently fail to meet the metabolic demands of complex microbial communities, compromising nitrogen removal efficiency and stability. Composite carbon sources, by providing multiple electron donors, can improve metabolic cooperation among microorganisms, yet their underlying microbial mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. In this study, activated sludge from a municipal WWTP was used to investigate the microbial mechanisms of composite carbon sources during denitrification. Batch denitrification experiments were conducted in combination with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to systematically characterize microbial community structure and functional gene expression under different carbon source conditions. Results showed that, compared with sodium acetate as the single carbon source, the composite carbon source system (sodium acetate: sodium succinate: ethanol = 2:1:3) increased the denitrification rate from (6.822 ± 0.141) mg/(L·h) to (8.370 ± 0.186) mg/(L·h), representing a 22.7% improvement, while reducing N2O accumulation by approximately 55%. Metagenomic analysis revealed that Ottowia, Rubrivivax, Thauera, and Zoogloea were the dominant denitrifying genera. Metatranscriptomic results further demonstrated that the composite carbon sources significantly upregulated the transcription of key denitrification genes, with nirS, norB, and nosZ increasing by 37.8%, 27.4%, and 48.6%, respectively. In addition, the composite carbon sources promoted complementary carbon metabolic strategies among different microbial communities, enhancing electron donor supply and improving denitrification efficiency. These findings indicate that composite carbon sources synergistically enhance denitrification performance through regulation of functional gene transcription in complex microbial communities, providing a theoretical basis for carbon source optimization in WWTPs.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225204
Cobalt-doped silica aerogel (Co@Si-A) catalysts were synthesized via a one-step sol-gel method and applied for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade tetracycline (TC). The catalyst with 25 wt% cobalt doping (25Co@Si-A) exhibited superior catalytic performance, achieving 98.97% TC degradation within 30 min under specified conditions (TC 10 mg/L, 100 mL). Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis revealed a high specific surface area and well-developed porous architecture with nano-confined spaces. The 25Co@Si-A/PMS system demonstrated outstanding adaptability across a broad pH range (5–9), maintaining >95% degradation efficiency, and showed strong resistance to sulfate and nitrate ions. In real water matrices, degradation efficiency remained around 80%. After five consecutive cycles, the system retained 82.33% degradation efficiency, with cobalt ion leaching of only 23.7 μg/L in the first cycle, indicating excellent stability. Mechanistic studies using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), radical quenching, and probe compound tests confirmed a synergistic radical and non-radical pathway. The primary reactive species were sulfate radicals (SO4•−), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and singlet oxygen (1O2), with contributions of 58.53%, 9.79%, and 31.68%, respectively. Electrochemical tests indicated that 25Co@Si-A exhibited superior charge transfer compared to Co3O4, attributed to the nano-confined effect of the silica aerogel, which enhanced Co(II)/Co(III) redox cycling and PMS activation. This research provides a promising strategy for utilizing silica aerogel-based catalysts in advanced oxidation processes for water treatment.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015
The national greenhouse gas voluntary emission reduction trading market was relaunched in 2023, with China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) as the trading unit, serving as a crucial supplement to the national carbon market. The initial phase includes the offshore wind power sector. This study evaluates the CO2 and air pollutant emission reduction effectiveness and economic feasibility of China's offshore wind power industry under the CCER mechanism. Using CCER methodology, baseline scenario analysis, and empirical data from 2020 and projections for 2025, we quantify reductions in CO2 and principal air pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) across coastal provinces. Emission inventories are constructed using authoritative grid emission factors. Economic viability is assessed by integrating levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), additional revenues from CCER transactions, and external environmental benefits. Results provide four policy insights: (1) The sector shows a positive trend in emission reduction and economic-environmental contribution, but faces financial deficit risk by 2025 without CCER subsidies; (2) Economically developed coastal provinces exhibit greater development potential; (3) Profitability analysis for 2020 and 2025 indicates sustainable economic returns with appropriate policy support; (4) Among air pollutants, nitrogen oxides reduction is largest, while sulfur dioxide reduction yields the most significant co-benefits. This study offers evidence-based recommendations for strategic planning and policy formulation in China's offshore wind industry.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605018
To address the inadequacy of existing temporal emission allocation coefficients for oil storage, transportation, and sales sources in regions with distinct seasonal temperature variations, this study focused on a large oil depot in Northwest China. A method for establishing temperature-dependent hourly allocation coefficients for VOCs emissions was proposed, revealing a positive correlation between ambient temperature and emission coefficients. The coefficient peaked at 0.068 when temperatures exceeded 14 °C and dropped to a minimum of 0.007 below 8.5 °C. Annual VOCs emissions totaled 256.13 t, with summer contributing 108.89 t (42.51% of annual total) and winter only 12.54 t (4.90%), making summer emissions approximately 8.68 times higher than winter. Using CALPUFF dispersion modeling, dynamic source strength scenarios produced a maximum hourly concentration of 2242.7 μg/m³, a 55.12% increase over the constant source strength scenario (1445.8 μg/m³). The area of exceedance increased by 0.03 km², and the atmospheric environmental protection distance extended by 450 m, from 0 m to 450 m. These results demonstrate that conventional constant emission assumptions underestimate peak concentrations and protection distances, posing health risks to nearby residents. The study provides a scientific basis for localized emission regulation and improved environmental protection distance calculations.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509093
Amid intensifying global warming, carbon emission reduction and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) have become central to climate governance. In March 2023, the European Commission proposed the Green Claims Directive (GCD) to combat greenwashing and enhance the reliability, comparability, and verifiability of environmental claims. The GCD, together with the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, the Carbon Removal Certification Framework, and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, forms a policy cluster supporting the EU's green transition and CDR deployment. China, as a major greenhouse gas emitter, has made progress in renewable energy and national carbon market construction, yet its total emissions remain high, CDR technologies are nascent, and CCUS deployment is economically oriented, mainly in enhanced oil recovery. This study systematically reviews the legislative background, core objectives, and synergistic logic of the GCD and related policies, focusing on requirements for CDR certification, third-party verification, and carbon credit regulation. It compares Chinese and EU carbon markets in coverage, allowance allocation, and MRV systems. The analysis indicates that EU experience in policy integration, technical standardization, and market maturity can inform China's policy framework, technology pathways, and market efficiency, supporting large-scale CDR and the 'dual carbon' goals.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606007
Cobalt-aluminum spinel metal oxides derived from hydrotalcite were synthesized via hydrothermal, coprecipitation, and sol-gel methods, and their catalytic performance for NO oxidation was systematically evaluated. Characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), O2 temperature-programmed desorption (O2-TPD), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the synthesis method significantly influences the surface Co2+/Co3+ ratio, which in turn modulates the formation of surface oxygen vacancies. The hydrothermally synthesized catalyst (CoAlO-H) exhibited the highest density of surface oxygen vacancies, leading to enhanced adsorption and activation of gaseous oxygen and superior NO oxidation activity compared to coprecipitation (CoAlO-C) and sol-gel (CoAlO-S) counterparts. Mechanistic studies using NO-TPD, NO+O2-TPD, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) identified nitrates as key intermediates. Notably, CoAlO-C and CoAlO-S followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanism, whereas CoAlO-H operated via both L-H and Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanisms. The exceptional performance of CoAlO-H is attributed to its abundant surface oxygen vacancies, high surface oxygen mobility, and low decomposition temperature of reaction intermediates. These findings provide a rational basis for designing efficient non-precious metal catalysts for NO oxidation in diesel exhaust aftertreatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3794-0
Luminescent transparent display technology is widely used in emerging fields such as augmented reality glass, head-up vehicle display, and commercial retail windows. While electroluminescent display is well established, the photoluminescent transparent screen of full-color rendering ability remains elusive due to the severe crosstalk between emitters. Herein, a full-color transparent screen of an orthogonal red/green/blue (R/G/B) luminescence is reported. Lanthanide fluoride nanocrystals are used as the emitters, where the color is tuned by a deliberate choice of doping activators including Tb3+, Eu3+, and Tm3+. Polyvinyl alcohol, with an identical refractive index to nanocrystals, is employed as the host matrix, enabling a high transparency up to 86% in the visible region upon a high loading content (~78 wt%) of nanocrystals. It should be noted that the nanocrystals are embedded in separate monolayers before integration by a UV-selective absorber, i.e., epoxy resin, which absorbs 254-nm UV to block cross-excitation between Tb3+ and Eu3+ layers, providing an asymmetric luminescent property from both sides of the screen. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a full-color prototype is showcased in real time for its potential applications in advanced displays of immersive experience.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3851-3
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) face critical challenges from zinc anode instability, including corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), parasitic byproduct formation, and uncontrolled dendrite growth. To address these issues, we developed a multifunctional cerium-based metal-organic framework (Ce-MOF) coating for zinc anodes. The coating features an ordered porous structure and inherent properties that mitigate HER, suppress side reactions, and inhibit dendrite formation. Symmetric cells using Ce-MOF/Zn demonstrated exceptional cycling stability for over 2060 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 with a low hysteresis polarization of 26 mV. In full cells with an I2@AC cathode, the Ce-MOF/Zn||I2@AC achieved outstanding cycling stability of 28,550 cycles at 5 A g−1, with 91% capacity retention (109.6 mAh g−1). Through integrated characterization employing in-situ optical microscopy, ex-situ XRD, SEM, and DFT calculations, we elucidated the multifunctional mechanism: the Ce-MOF coating facilitates preferential (002)-oriented Zn deposition to suppress dendrites, reduces Zn2+ desolvation energy to enhance deposition kinetics, and modulates interfacial chemistry to mitigate HER and corrosion. This work establishes Ce-MOF coatings as a simple yet powerful strategy for developing high-performance zinc anodes, providing critical insights for advancing practical AZIB technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3769-2
Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are pivotal for sustainable hydrogen production, yet the corrosion-induced TiOx on porous transport layers (PTLs) introduces Schottky contact barriers and pinch-off effects, severely impeding charge transfer and efficiency. Here, a cost-effective MoIrOx coating via spray deposition and thermal treatment on Ti felts is proposed. The coating forms a conductive interlayer that establishes a Schottky barrier staircase, reducing the effective electron transfer barrier and isolating TiOx from the ionomer to mitigate the pinch-off effect. The optimal PTL achieves a current density of 3.27 A cm−2 at 2 V, surpassing uncoated Ti felts by 59.5%. The MoIrOx interlayer suppresses localized electron accumulation at the interface, enabling stable operation with ultra-low catalyst loadings by preventing direct ionomer-TiOx contact. This work demonstrates a scalable strategy to enhance PEMWE efficiency and durability while minimizing precious metal reliance, offering critical insights into interface engineering for electrolyzers.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040104
The oxidative transformation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) was investigated in three typical zonal soils: black soil, red soil, and brown soil. Results demonstrated that 2,6-DCP underwent oxidative coupling in all soils, yielding hydroxylated polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PCDEs) and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) as primary products. The highest oxidative efficiency occurred in black soil, with approximately 85.1% of 2,6-DCP transformed within three days. In contrast, red and brown soils exhibited lower efficiencies, indicating a strong dependence on soil properties. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the oxidative coupling reaction is endothermic, with elevated temperatures favoring reaction progress. Furthermore, soil microorganisms and dissolved oxygen were identified as critical controlling factors, acting synergistically to drive the reaction. This study provides the first evidence of natural oxidative coupling of 2,6-DCP in soil, forming OH-PCDEs and OH-PCBs. These findings offer significant scientific insight into the environmental fate of halogenated phenolic pollutants in terrestrial systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4025-y
Gd3+-sensitized Tb3+-based glasses are high light-yield scintillators. Energy transfer sensitization between Gd3+ and Tb3+ is well-recognized. Gd3+ ions are also found to typically modulate the interionic distances of Tb3+ ions; however, the mechanism why this effect enhances the latter’s photoluminescence still remains unclear. This work focuses on Gd3+, Tb3+ co-doped La2O3-B2O3-SiO2 (LBSO), first demonstrating Tb3+ clusters via spectroscopy. LBSO’s optimal Tb3+ single-doping concentration is 37%, rising to 50% with 20% Gd3+. The LBSO:20%Gd3+,50%Tb3+ sample exhibits a 542 nm emission intensity 2.22 times that of the 37%Tb3+ single-doped sample, 38% scintillation efficiency (vs. BGO), and >20 lp mm−1 X-ray resolution. The introduction of Gd3+ increases the interionic distance between Tb3+ ions within the clusters, thereby suppressing the concentration quenching effect and enhancing the fluorescence emission. We propose this mechanism as “cluster-dispersion sensitization effect”. This effect was further confirmed in other glass systems (LBSO:Lu3+, Tb3+, LBSO:Y3+, Tb3+, Bi-based:Lu3+, Tb3+, etc.). Spectroscopic analysis shows Gd3+-Tb3+ energy transfer efficiency up to 80%. In conclusion, Gd3+ synergistically enhances Tb3+ fluorescence via both effects. These findings not only fully elucidate the sensitization mechanism of Gd3+ ions in Gd3+, Tb3+ co-doped scintillating glasses but also provide new insights for researching the manipulation of activator ion clusters in luminescent materials. In search for novel scintillators, cluster-dispersion sensitization effect may greatly improve their spatial resolution via intrinsic architectures design in glasses, ceramics, thin films, and nanoparticles.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4013-y
Multicolor fluorescent polymer materials (MFPMs) are of significant value in biomaterials and display technologies due to their rich color palette. Traditional construction methods rely on incorporating multiple fluorescent molecules of different colors, which introduces complexities in structural design, synthesis, purification, and practical operability. To overcome these challenges, a strategy employing a single fluorophore that exhibits multiple fluorescent colors has been developed and integrated into MFPMs. This approach has advanced fields such as information anti-counterfeiting and optoelectronic materials. This review summarizes recent developments in MFPMs based on a single fluorescent molecule, elucidates preparation methods and color conversion mechanisms, and analyzes application prospects. Key mechanisms include aggregation-induced emission (AIE), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT), which enable color tuning through environmental stimuli or assembly. The review highlights the potential of this strategy to simplify fabrication processes while achieving tunable emission colors. It provides guidance for designing novel multicolor fluorescent materials and fosters progress in fluorescent materials, polymer science, and materials science.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4062-2
Metalloimmunology, an emerging interdisciplinary field, is reshaping our understanding of the immune system at an unprecedented pace. This review systematically elaborates on the core roles of metal ions as critical signaling molecules and metabolic regulators in both innate and adaptive immunity. Special focus is placed on the molecular mechanisms by which metal ions modulate key immune signaling pathways, as well as their mediation of novel immunogenic cell death modalities including ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and pyroptosis. Furthermore, we comprehensively review innovative metal ion-based therapeutic strategies, encompassing metal nanoadjuvants, metal-organic frameworks and nanozymes, along with their cutting-edge applications in cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and tissue repair. Finally, this review delves into the challenges faced by this field in targeted delivery, biosafety, and clinical translation, and provides an outlook on its future development directions with particular emphasis on the immense potential of precisely regulating metal homeostasis for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.